|
|
| Change Text Size |
 |
 |
|
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
£10,000 more to be spent on childcare after report |
by www.gazette-news.co.uk - added 10/01/2010 |
CHILD protection in Colchester will receive a £10,000 boost after a Government report labelled safeguarding in Essex as inadequate.
Some of the money will be spent on increased training for staff who come into contact with children, such as leisure workers, cleaners, and street wardens.
Colchester councillor Tina Dopson made the announcement when she appeared before the borough’s overview and scrutiny meeting on Tuesday.
A report from the Audit Commission, published in December, lambasted safeguarding provision in Essex, and criticised all the organisations involved for not working closely together.
Mrs Dopson said, while Essex County Council was the body with primary responsibility for protecting children, everybody in the borough had a duty to help.
She added: “We started looking at safeguarding before the Baby P inquiry.
“These young people live in our borough, and it’s more than just a duty to co-operate with the county council.
“We need to heighten the awareness of the general public. Safeguarding is everyone’s business, even if you are a shopkeeper, fireman, or street cleaner.
“Every single person in the borough has a responsibility.”
Mrs Dopson said £10,000 would be set aside to keep council staff up to date with relevant safeguarding training and carry out an audit of services which come into contact with children.
The Audit Commission’s report reads: “Partners are not working effectively together to ensure all vulnerable children in Essex are adequately protected.
“Services for safeguarding children are not performing adequately.”
“Progress in bringing about necessary changes has been slow.” |
| |
|
Tell us what you think below about this article by filling in the form below
Add your comments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
